The Metropolitan_Feb_2014

TheMetropolitan

Vol. 1 No. 1

St. Louis CC #16

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR FOR 2013

udly Presented By Pro

MEN

Exclusive Corporate Partner

SENIOR MEN Jeff Johnson

US WOMEN’S OPEN May 20 Lake Forest CC Entry Deadline: April 30

WOMEN Catherine Dolan

SENIOR WOMEN Ellen Port O’TOOLE BEGINS TERM AS USGA PRESIDENT From 1941-1944, a Metro Open Tournament, with amateur and professional divisions, was held across the area. The first event was held at Lake Park GC (today Grand Marias) at 52nd and State Streets in East St. Louis. The key match featured Meadowbrook’s Tom Draper, who would win the 1971 US Senior Amateur, and Cardinal Pitcher Dizzy Dean, who played out of Normandie. Draper downed Dean in their match. In the following years, the event would be played at Meadowbrook and Normandie before ending in 1944.

2014 USGA EVENTS US OPEN QUALIFYING May 13 Missouri Bluffs GC Entry Deadline: April 23

Skip Berkmeyer

A LOOK BACK...

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thomas J. O’Toole Jr., founder of the MAGA and longtime Executive Director, began his term as president of the USGA in February 2014. He becomes the second St. Louis resident to assume the position, following the legendary Hord Hardin, who was USGA president in 1968-69.

Rising through the ranks as a rules official, Tom quickly gained a reputation as one of the very best.

Throughout his career, he has officiated golf at the highest levels, earning the respect and admiration of his counterparts. His ascension to president of the USGA signifies a break from tradition as he is the first to do so coming from the officiating side the the game.

(Continued on page 3)

MAGA EVENTS OLD WARSON CUP MAY 3-4 OLD WARSON CC - INVITATIONAL NORMANDIE AMATEUR May 17-18 Normandie GC Entry Deadline: May 10 EAST SIDE AMATEUR June 14-15 Lockhaven GC Entry Deadline: June 7 See page 19 for full schedule

Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association • 11777 Clayton Rd. • St. Louis, Missouri 63131 314.567.MAGA • Fax: 314.261.9250 • info@metga.org

The Metropolitan

January-February 2014

STAFF

CURT’S COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Curt Rohe - curt@metga.org

DIRECTOR, FINANCE Jennifer Langford - jennifer@metga.org

METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Amateur Championship Match Play Championship Open Championship Women’s Amateur Championship Junior Amateur Championship Senior Amateur Championship Metropolitan Cup Matches Four-Ball Championship Mid-America Junior Cup

USGA QUALIFYING ROUNDS US Open Qualifying (Local and Sectional) US Senior Open Qualifying US Amateur Qualifying US Mid-Amateur Qualifying US Women’s Mid-Amateur US Junior Amateur Qualifying US Amateur Public Links Qualifying US Senior Amateur Qualifying US Women’s Open Qualifying US Amateur Four-Ball US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball

EXECUTIVE BOARD Stanford S. Grossman – President Emeritus Thomas J. O’Toole, Jr. – Vice-President Thomas O. Sobbe, Jr. – Vice-President M. Ray McCraine – Secretary G. Scott Engelbrecht – Treasurer G.F. (Rick) Meyer, Jr. – At-Large Member H. Mick Wellington – At-Large Member

ADVISORY COMMITTEE Scott Thomas, Chairman Dustin Ashby Tom Barry Skip Berkmeyer Jim Dunn David Rhoads Curt Rohe

Hello, welcome to the first edition of The Metropolitan!

We are very excited to launch this new, all digital newsletter to provide current news and events of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association (MAGA).

Curt Rohe Executive Director

You, our members, will exclusively receive The Metropolitan via email eight (8) times in 2014. Four of the issues will be bi-monthly, off-season issues, along with 4 monthly editions, keeping you up-to-date with MAGA news and events during the “golf season.”

We are very excited to have Jim Healey, St. Louis’ golf historian, join us as our Editor/Publisher of The Metropolitan. Jim is the foremost authority of the history of the game in the St. Louis region. Having written the book Golfing Before the Arch and worked with several St. Louis clubs to write their anniversary / history books. Jim’s expertise in writing and photography is going to make The Metropolitan one of the finest regional golf association newsletters in the country.

The all digital, interactive layout will give you the opportunity to experience The Metropolitan via computer, tablet or other mobile device. The articles will allow readers to get updates with direct links to the MAGA website, WWW.METGA.ORG and other sites referenced. Additionally, the format will allow readers to print the newsletter if so desired.

The first edition will provide our members with a sampling of things to come in the coming year. However, we also want to hear from you and we want to know what you want to read about. We have setup an email address dedicated to The Metropolitan for feedback, it is: themetropolitan@metga.org. This newsletter is for YOU and it will be about YOU, our individual members.

Enjoy this inaugural edition. If you would like to reach me at anytime, please email me personally at curt@metga.org.

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The Metropolitan

January-February 2014

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O’TOOLE ASCENDS TO PRESIDENCY (Continued) Tom has been associated with the USGA since 1988 and has served as a Rules official at more than 125 USGA championships, including every U.S. Open since 1990. He begins his sixth year as a member of the USGA Executive Committee, having served three years as vice president, and secretary in 2010. In 2013, Tom chaired the Championship and Compensation Committees, while serving on the Audit, Commercial, Handicap, International Team Selection, Management, Rules of Golf and Joint Rules of Golf Committees.

Learning the game from the ground up, Tom started as a caddie, became a rules official, started a golf association and rose at dawn to mark courses. One of the premier administrators in the game, Tom’s rise to the presidency is, to some, long overdue. Considered a populist president by many, Tom comes into the position with perhaps more knowledge of the game than any of his predecessors.

His relationship with Jim Holtgrieve is legendary.

Though ten years his senior, Tom caddied for Jim during many of his championships, including his win at the 1981 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Bellerive CC. It was Holtgrieve who first suggested to Tom that he become involved with the USGA. After introducing him to Tom Meeks, then Senior Director of Rules and Competitions, O’Toole was hooked.

Tom’s passion for the rules of the game became legendary.

His longtime friend, Mike Davis, Executive Director of the USGA, believes that Tom’s presidency will mark a new era within the USGA. Perhaps it was former USGA president Jim Hyler, who has summed it up best: “For 25 years, he has volunteered much of his time to do a lot of great things for golf. It is very fitting that he has gone through the ranks. He is someone who defined himself early and has remained incredibly passionate about golf. He has a rich history, and we are lucky to have him.”

O’Toole is a partner in the law firm of Mickes Goldman O’Toole, LLC, where he chairs the firm’s Business and Corporate Group, with a practice focused on real estate. He received both his undergraduate degree (1979) and law degree (1985) from St. Louis University.

Married, he has a 14-year-old son and a seven-month old. A member of Old Warson CC, Tom is well aware of the challenges facing him during his presidency.

“We have to encourage more people to play the game,” O’Toole said. “We have to figure out why golf isn’t growing.

We have to be worried about the future of the sport. This is serious. If we are going to be leaders – if we even have a game to govern – we have to focus on the game’s health.”

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RULES OF GOLF CORNER USE OF MULTI-FUNCTIONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES The Rules of Golf have been relaxed in regard to use of multi-functional electronic devices (Cell Phones) and distance measuring devices (DMDs). You can now use your phone to check on weather conditions as long as there is nothing on the device that would allow you to measure the temperature or wind conditions at your specific location. You can also use the compass on your electronic device as long as it provides only directional information.

While you can now use these devices you must still be aware of other Rules of Golf that could be violated by using them, i.e. unduly delaying play, texting another player about what club he used at a particular hole, calling a golf instructor for a swing tip.

The USGA further has announced that DMD’s will now be allowed at all amateur championships and qualifiers in 2014. They will still not be allowed at any of the Open Championships. As long as the Local Rule allowing DMDs (Laser Rangefinders, GPS or Apps installed on a cell phone) is enacted you can use any device or application that measures distance only.

The qualifications that make a multi-functional device legal have also been changed. Please click this link to see an excellent flow chart that details these changes.

“Can I Use My DMD?” If you have any doubt if your DMD is legal always check with the Committee prior to starting your round.

Contributed by Tom Wohlgemuth, MAGA Rules Committee. The Rules of Golf Corner will feature a member of our Rules Committee.

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2013 YEAR IN REVIEW GATEWAY CUP For the first time in years, the Metropolitan Season did not commence with the Match Play Championship in May. For 2013, the Season began with players venturing to St. Albans for the Gateway Cup Matches, pitting amateurs against professionals over the Tavern Creek Course. Held April 7-8, the event featured fourteen singles matches, seven foursomes and seven four-ball contests. The PGA players, all of whom were members of the Gateway Section, faced-off against a select squad of top amateurs representing the Metropolitan.

The Sunday afternoon round featured Four-Ball Matches (Best Ball). The MAGA team racked up four points as Chad Niezing & Jeff Johnson, Eli Grant & Brett Meeske, Skip Berkmeyer & Ted Moloney and Tom Barry & Scott Edwards each won their matches.

For the pros, JC Anderson & Mike Suhre, Ryan Roy & Gideon Smith and Nash Haxel & Mike Tucker earned points for their team.

Monday would be a full day with the morning round featuring Foursome matches (Alternate shot) with Singles in the afternoon.

Once again, the MAGA team fared very well in this difficult format. Johnson & Niezing, Patrick Britt & Joe Migdal, and Phil Caravia & Scott Edwards each won their matches with Andy Frost & Andy Fogarty and Grant & Meeske both earning Halves, giving the MAGA a 4-2 lead and an overall lead of 8 – 6 heading into the afternoon singles matches. For the pros, Rob Sedorcek & Mike Tucker along with Suhre & Gaus won their matches with Anderson & Brian Fogt and Roy and Smith earning halves.

With the slim lead for the Metropolitan squad, the pros dug in and fought for every point. When the last putt fell, it was all even as the pros edges the MAGA players 8 – 6 to earn a hard fought tie at 14 apiece.

Smith and Gaus each won their matches easily, while Fogarty, Meeske, Barry, Breven Giebler and Frost posted wins for the MAGA squad.

In the end, it proved to be a great opening salvo to a terrific 2013 season.

The Metropolitan

MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP The 18th Metropolitan Match Play Championship at Old Warson CC had another outstanding field as the top players from 2012 earned spots in this season opening amateur event. Played over two days in early May, the first balls were in the air at 7 am on Saturday morning.

By 5pm on Sunday, a champion would be crowned.

Garrett Sneed

Thomas Wuennenberg opened with a bang when he defeated 2012 Player of the Year Skip Berkmeyer in 20 holes. Ted Moloney downed fellow Greenbriar member Mike Kendrick while Alex Cusumano outlasted Phil Caravia in 20 holes. Joe Migdal of Aberdeen took Corey Choate of Wolf Hollow 3&2, Garrett Sneed of St. Albans earned a 7&6 win over Kevin Bell of Bellerive, Jeff Johnson cruised past Matt McKiernan 5&4, while Andy Frost edged Mike Ehlers of WingHaven in 19 holes.

Rounding out the first round was Bryan Bohme of Norwood downing Tommy Ponce 4&3. The afternoon round saw Wuennenberg continue his fine play downing Bohme 9&7, Moloney edging Cusumano 3&2, Sneed taking Migdal 1up, and Frost over Johnson 3&1.

As players arrived at the tee early Sunday morning it was clear that a new champion would be crowned by days end. Wuennenberg, playing out of Tapawingo, continued to play steady golf as he earned a 4&2 victory over Moloney. The match was tight through the first nine holes, with Wuennenberg holding a 1-up lead. However, on the back, after taking the tenth and thirteenth, while losing the eleventh, Wuennenberg stood 2-up at the fourteenth. Moloney, who would win only two holes in the round, seemed over-matched on this day as Wuennenberg took the fifteenth and sixteenth to close out the match. In the match to determine the other finalist, Sneed started strong as he had a 6-up lead at the end of nine holes. However, January-February 2014

Frost took the first two holes on the back before dropping one at the thirteenth, then bouncing back to take the fourteenth with a birdie. However, Sneed’s birdie on the fifteenth ended the match, placing him into the finals.

For all of his fine play during the early matches, during the final match Wuennenberg’s game seemed to drift away. He won only one hole during the match – at the twelfth – which extended the match to the fourteenth. It was there that the players halved the hole, giving Sneed a 5&4 win. For his part, Sneed played beautifully. His stroke score through the first nine was 34 to Wuennenberg’s 40.

NORMANDIE AMATEUR

Skip Berkmeyer

The 27th Normandie Amateur, played over the historic layout, proved once again that the course earned its distinction through the years as a true player’s course. The 36-hole event generally features many of the area’s best and this year was no different.

The field was dotted with former champions: Skip Berkmeyer, Andy Frost, Ted Moloney, Buddy Allen, Phil Caravia, Jeff Johnson, Tom Barry, Scott Fann and Justin Bliss.

Round one produced some sterling play as Berkmeyer posted a 3-under 68. Just a stroke back at 69 was Andy Frost, with Corey Choate, Alex Cusumano sitting at 70. Phil Caravia and Ted Moloney rounded out the six players in the field who were at par or better.

Berkmeyer’s play was stellar with the lone blemishes being a double bogey on the 200-yard third and a bogey on the tough 399-yard 14th. He offset these with birdies on the 4th, 8th, 13th and 15th, and an eagle on the 558-yard par 5 seventh, the lone eagle on that hole for the tournament. Frost, the defending champion, who had posted a 7-under 135 in 2012 – edging Berkmeyer by three shots – also had two bogey’s, but overcame these with four birdies for his 2under round.

The Metropolitan

On Sunday, the course hit back a bit as scores jumped, leaving some of the leaders scratching their heads.

With only three rounds at par or better on the day, Phil Caravia and Tom Barry, each with rounds of 70, moved into the hunt. However, it was Buddy Allen, the 2007 champion, who made the biggest jump. His three birdies, with a single bogey on the twelfth, catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard at 141 as he waited for the other leaders to complete their rounds. Caravia, playing just behind Allen, was 1-over through eleven before birdies at the thirteenth and sixteenth moved him to 1-under, putting him also at 141. Berkmeyer was in the final group with Frost and Cusumano, both of whom posted rounds of 77 and out of the chase. Berkmeyer’s play was erratic as he was 1under on the front but 2-over on the back as he approached the final holes. With pars on fifteen, sixteen and seventeen, all that was needed was a par on the 246-yard par 3 eighteenth to clinch victory.

However, it was not to be as he failed to get up and down and walked off with a bogey and in a three-way tie for the lead.

The players made their way to the 443-yard par 4 first hole to determine a winner. An uphill tee shot to a mounded fairway – with trees along both sides – the small, back to front sloping green demands an accurate approach if one hopes to make par. For the week, the hole ranked the third-toughest playing to a 4.7 to par.

Allen’s approach found the right bunker while Berkmeyer and Caravia lay on the putting surface.

Berkmeyer rolled in his 12-foot birdie to take the crystal trophy and his fifth Normandie title.

EAST SIDE AMATEUR For the first time in 9-years, Belk Park was not the site of the East Side Amateur. Rather it would be Lockhaven, for former private club now turned semiprivate, that would test the players in the 36-hole event.

The course record of 62 at Lockhaven was established by none other than Tom Watson during an exhibition.

Founded in 1955, it was designed by noted Chicago architect Robert Bruce Harris, the designer of another well-known St. Louis area course, Meadowbrook.

Playing at a par 71, the first round would find six players post rounds in the 60s, led by a 68 by Buddy January-February 2014

Allen and rounds of 69 by Troy Halterman, Jeremy Franklin (winner of the 2012 East Side Amateur title), Corey Choate, Eli Grant and Bob Hanneken. Sam Migdal came in at 1under 70, with 4 additional rounds at even par.

Allen, Hanneken and Choate would be in the final group, just behind Grant, Franklin and Halterman. However, Bob Hanneken the best rounds of the day would come from an earlier group with Andy Frost and Bryan Bohme who each carded a round of 70 for a 142 total. Finishing nearly an hour ahead of the leaders, they would have some tense moments to see if they would play off for the title.

Grant would finish his round before the final group and with five bogeys and four birdies, post a round of 72 and a 141 total. With that, Frost and Bohme headed for the parking lot. It was now left to see if Hanneken, Allen or Choate were up to the task.

Unfortunately for Allen, a double bogey on the second, followed by bogeys on the third and eighth, left him 4-over at the turn. As he played the back nine in level par, his 75 left him on the outside looking in as he tied for sixth place with Franklin. Meanwhile, Wooten had finished with rounds of 71-72, good enough to tie with Allen and Franklin. Choate followed his 69 was a 73 and in a tie for third. Bob Hanneken of Persimmon Woods went out in 35, as had Choate, so he knew he was in a dogfight. After bogeys at the tenth and thirteenth, and a lone birdie at the eleventh, he shot par through the remaining holes to post a 72 – the same total as Grant had posted earlier.

After each player made bogey on the ninth hole, they went to the tenth tee. Hanneken put his approach tight to the flag, while Grant struggled to find the green. An easy two-putt gave Hanneken his first Metropolitan title, having played in numerous events over the years. In the senior portion of the event, Andy Frost finished at the top of that group.

The Metropolitan

JUNIOR AMATEUR

Elizabeth Leath

Chris Ferris

Elizabeth Leath and Chris Ferris captured their respective Girls and Boys titles at the 14th Junior Amateur Championship at Quail Creek GC. Ferris, from Aberdeen, has been competing in a number of MAGA events in the last several years. His rounds of 76-74 enabled him to edge our Joe Williams by three strokes.

Leath began the day one shot back of the Round 1 leader Jordan Leonard, but passed her by with a second round 79 to capture the Barbara A. Berkmeyer Trophy! Leath (Four Seasons CC) had rounds of 8479. Elise McDonough (Metropolitan GC) would finish Runner-Up after rounds of 87-85.

In the Boys 14-15 Age Division, Ferris was the winner of the Age Division along with the overall title. Davis Soderberg (Old Hickory GC) would finish runner-up at 154. Clayton Voss (Franklin County CC) started the day one shot back of Ferris, would finish runnerup in the Boys 16-17 Division with rounds of 77-80.

There were two participants in the boys Age 12-13 Division compete with Nathaniel Conroy (Metropolitan GC) edging out Joshua Garrett (Old Hickory GC) by 4 shots.

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Arizona professional Drew Stoltz, of Whisper Rock GC, out-dueled 2-time Metropolitan Open champion Shawn Jasper during the final round to claim victory and the $13,500 top prize. The Weiskopf-Moorish design Lewis & Clark course proved to be quite a test for the players as the winning score of 4-under par was nine strokes higher than the winning total for 2012.

Further evidence of the challenges presented by the January-February 2014

layout is that out of the field of 138 players, only five were able to post a total in red numbers. This was brought about by the firm conditions, deep, thick rough and difficult hole locations.

Drew Stoltz

However, at weeksend, the tournament belonged to the former Texas Christian golfer.

The 30-year-old veteran of the minitour circuits made the shots when it counted as he finished with a two-under-par 68 to edge Jasper and Chris Thompson by a single stroke.

Stoltz made a pair of birdies over his final six holes to finish the tournament at 206 (68-70-68). After confirming his round, he left the scorer’s table and stood nervously as he watched Jasper and Thompson each missed birdie efforts on the eighteenth green.

While the prize money was nice, it was earning his seventh professional victory that excited him most.

Stoltz noted that “…these were not great scores, but this (St. Albans) course wasn’t one where you were going to make a lot of birdies this week. It was playing tough and that’s the way I like it. It wasn’t a birdie-fest this week.”

St. Albans member, Jay Delsing, finished at 209 (7072-67), in fifth position, while low amateur honors went to Alex Cusumano at 216.

Stoltz became the 2nd Arizona golfer to win the event and take possession of the James S. Manion Trophy.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR Having finished 1-2 in the Missouri Women’s Amateur in early July, with Catherine Dolan edging Ellen Port by a stroke at Old Kinderhook, the Women’s Metropolitan Amateur at St. Louis Country Club proved to be a rematch between two of the area’s best lady golfers. However, for Port, the area’s best woman amateur ever, these two events belonged to the youthful player from Ballwin.

The Metropolitan

Dolan started her quest for the title with birdies on the first three holes, something seldom seen over the historic Charles Blair Macdonald course. With pars on 13 of the remaining holes, her even round 71 gave her a one stroke lead. For her part, Port, who would win the US Senior Women’s Amateur in the fall, had an up and down round with five bogeys, two birdies and an eagle to scratch out a 1-over round.

While Dolan’s play was marked by steady play in the second Catherine Dolan round – three bogeys and a birdie – for a 2-over 73, Port had another uncharacteristic round with five bogeys and only two birdies for a 3-over 74, giving Dolan the title. Persimmon Woods’ Kelli Kirchoff finished third at 154.

In the other flights, Rebecka Bahn of the MAC Golf Club took the A Flight, followed by Maria Morrison and Peggy Shamleffer. The B Flight had Debra Bene on top with St. Louis CC’s Carol Ann Jones finishing second. In the C Flight, Carol Amling posted a 185 with Julia McEdwn of Bear Creek taking second.

Persimmon Woods played host for the Men’s Amateur in early August. Having developed into one of the area’s premier championships – always with a strong field – players knew that the 54-hole event would be both a mental and physical challenge.

MEN’S AMATEUR Defending champion Kyle Weldon – a sophomore at Kansas State University – played his high school golf at Parkway South, where he earned all-state honors.

Also in the field were several former champions, including: Skip Berkmeyer, Brian Kennedy, Scott Edwards and Eli Grant.

Whitmoor’s Michael Wooten went off at 8:14 and took the early lead atop the leaderboard with a round of 67. Nearly an hour later, Joe Migdal posted a 69.

However, it would not be until later in the day when Weldon knocked in his sixth birdie of the round, with only one bogey, that his round of 65 stood as the measuring stick. When Joe Timpone, playing in the day’s final group, came in with a 68 that the last of the January-February 2014

rounds in the 60s was completed for the day.

Clearly, Persimmon Woods was up to the test; the question remained to be seen which players would pass the challenge.

The second round say another round of 65, this from Cy Moritz of Franklin County CC, Kyle Weldon giving him a two round total of 141. However, Berkmeyer’s 69, to go with his opening 71, put him at 140, along with Teddy Jones (72-68). Weldon did not have a good a round, falling to a 3-over 73; still, it was good enough for a 2-shot lead. With the cut at 150, 44 players would tee it up in the final round.

Berkmeyer and Weldon were paired together in the final group, just behind Moritz and Jones. Timpone and Austin Pearl were in the third to last group, with Phil Caravia and Jeremy Franklin in the next group.

Berkmeyer started strong with a birdie on the first hole. However, bogeys on the third and sixth put him 1-over at the turn. On the other hand, Weldon made five pars to start his round before back-to-back birdies had him at 33 and 2-under for his first 9 holes; widening his lead over Berkmeyer to five shots. Skip played the back nine in 1-over, giving him a round of 2-over 70, placing him in fifth place.

Meanwhile, Caravia went out in 35 and made three birdies on the back to complete a round of 68 and a 210 total, good enough for a second place finish. Pearl and Timpone both had solid rounds, though Pearl’s 69 enabled him to post 211 and a third place tie with Teddy Jones, who shot a 1-over 71. Timpone’s 72 put him just behind Berkmeyer in sixth place.

Weldon’s play was not overly spectacular; in fact he seemed to play a bit defensively on his final nine holes, making one birdie and three bogeys for a 2-over 37.

However, his round of 70 – even par – was good enough to secure the victory and back-to-back titles; making him only the second to do so, with David Estes having accomplished that feat in 1997 and 1998.

While Persimmon Woods played above 8-over par for The Metropolitan

the first two rounds, during the final round players averaged just over 74. Surprisingly, the course yielded only 1 eagle all week, and that in round 1 on the eighth hole by Garrett Sneed.

SENIOR AMATEUR The always-demanding Sunset course played host for the 2013 Senior Amateur. Day one found two former champions – Scott Edwards and Jim Dunn - among the trio tied atop the leaderboard.

Joining them was reining Player of the Year, Jeff Johnson. Had Jeff Johnson all things gone well for him, Jim Dunn would have held a commanding lead.

Having recently qualified for the US Senior Amateur, he carded six birdies during his round but mixed in four bogeys and a double bogey to fall back to level par. Just two shots off the pace was 2012 champion Andy Frost.

Yielding more double bogeys than birdies – with an average of nearly 9-over par – the leaders knew that the winner would face a number of challenges if he was to claim the title. With Dunn, Edwards and Johnson in the final group, there is always the danger of it turning into a match play situation among them.

However, Edwards lost his way on the front nine, ballooning to a 44. Dunn made the turn at 2-over, but four bogeys on the back nine tied Edwards as they each posted a 77 for their rounds. Meanwhile, Johnson’s first 8 holes found him 2-over before a birdie on the ninth seemed to steady the ship. An eagle-3 on the par 5 tenth, followed by 8 pars, was all he needed. His 1-under par round was the best score of the day, giving him a 4-shot victory. Andy Frost, who followed his first round 74 with a solid 73, moved into the second spot, with Tim Boyd, Mark Gardiner, Joe Timpone,Edwards and Dunn tying for third.

Age Group winners were as followed: (50-59) Randy Gibbs of the Metropolitan GC, (60-64) Jay Mason of the CC at the Legends, (65-69) Terry Fairbanks of Whitmoor, (70 and over) Michael Mooney of Algonquin.

January-February 2014

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

GOLF ODDITIES

USGA website: www.usga.org MAGA website: www.metga.org GHIN website: www.ghin.org

ST. LOUIS WALKER CUP PARTICIPANTS Year

Player

Site

Score

1953

Jim Jackson

Kitansett Club

1955

Jim Jackson

St. Andrews

10-2

1961

Bob Cochran

Seattle CC

11-1

1975

Jay Haas

St. Andrews

15½-8½

1979

Jim Holtgrieve

Muirfield

15½-8½

1981

Jim Holtgrieve

Cypress Point

1983

Jim Holtgrieve

Royal Liverpool

1985

Jerry Haas

Pine Valley

9-3

In 1961, Bob Goalby won two tournaments and tied for second at the US Open. This would have earned him enough points to qualify for the Ryder Cup Team that year. However, at that time, a touring professional had to serve a 5-year apprenticeship on tour, or in a golf shop, to be considered a full PGA Member. Consequently, Bob was passed over for the 1961 team. He would be selected and play in the 1963 Ryder Cup.

15-9 13½-10 ½ 13-11

* USA score first

HOLTGRIEVE CAPTAINS US WALKER CUP VICTORY

JIM HOLTGRIEVE’S WALKER CUP CAREER Player Record 6 - 4 Foursomes 3-3; Singles 3-1 1979 US Walker Cup Team USA wins 15½ - 8½ 1981 US Walker Cup Team USA wins 15 - 9 1983 US Walker Cup Team USA wins 13½ - 10½ 2011 Captain, US Walker Cup GB&I wins 14 - 12 2013 Captian, US Walker Cup USA wins 17 - 9

Jim Holtgrieve (seated at center) with the 2013 Walker Cup Team

The Metropolitan

January-February 2014

The Metropolitan

January-February 2014

2013 USGA QUALIFYING Joining Beisiegel at 144 were Amy Meier, an amateur from Rochester Hills, Michigan, and professionals Megan Grehan from Franklin, Tennessee and Emma Jandel of Dayton, Ohio.

US OPEN - LOCAL QUALIFYING One-hundred and twenty players arrived at Aberdeen GC on Wednesday, May 15, each hoping to capture the brass ring and advance to the Sectional round and a shot at competing in the US Open at historic Merion GC. With only 18 holes in front of them, there would be no time to

US OPEN - SECTIONAL QUALIFYING

A beautiful day awaited hopefuls looking to punch their ticket for the US Open. While a number of PGA Tour players were expected to take part, in the end only Aberdeen owner Rocky Dollarhide Tour veteran Jay Don (l) and GM Matt O’Dell.

Blake became the name catch up from a slow start. player for the site. After Adam Long had five birdies and only one bogey to an up-and-down morning post a 4-under 67 to take the top spot. Two behind at round – with four bogeys Jay Don Blake 69 were Alex Cusumano and Joe Migdal. Justin Bryant, and four birdies – he was Zach Barlow and Carr Vernon were a shot back at 70 well positioned to make an afternoon charge. while Skip Berkmeyer and Kyle Weldon were the final However, the morning’s best rounds were a pair of 2qualifiers, posting rounds of 71. Todd Mitchell claimed under 69s by amateur Brant Peaper of Tequesta, the first alternate spot with Ted Moloney taking the Florida, and professional Travis Johns of Oswego, 2nd alternate spot following a playoff of four players Illinois. who were tied at 72.

Qualifying for the US Open is usually marked by players finishing strong and making few mistakes. The best rounds at Old Warson were no different. Blake US WOMEN’S OPEN birdied the first three holes in his afternoon round, then added two more before making the turn in 30.

Though he made two bogeys on the back nine, his Qualifying for the US three-under 38 was good enough to earn the top Women’s Open was held qualifying spot. With one spot remaining there were at Algonquin GC on only a handful of players on the course with morning May 30. Fifty-eight rounds that put them in a position to take the next spot. players – 43 amateurs Besides Johns, Brad Hopfinger of Lake Forest, Illinois, and 15 professionals – Chris Thompson of Lawrence, Kansas, AndrewDahl of were scheduled to tee it Salinas, California and Mackenzie Hughes of up for a chance to head Charlotte,North Carolina remained in contention. to Sebonack GC in Hughes, a veteran of the Canadian Tour, was paired Southhampton, NY. with Blake and his 1-under 70 left him at 142. Johns However, bad weather Megan Grehan (l) & Izzy Beisiegel followed his morning 69 with a 73, tying him with saw only 52 players Hughes. Hopfinger, with a 70, fell one stroke short. arrive for play with only 37 completing all 36 holes.

Hughes and Johns had a playoff for the 2nd qualifying Professional Izzy Beisiegel of Broken Arrow, spot, which went to Hughes, leaving Johns as the first Oklahoma shot a 3 over 74 in the morning round then alternate. followed that with a one-under 70 for a 2-over total.

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US AMATEUR PUBLIC LINKS The venerable Clinton Hill GC in Fairview Heights, Illinois, had not hosted a USGA qualifying event in many years.

The 2013 US Amateur Public Links Qualifying would take place over the par 69 layout. With its generous fairways, there Kyle Weldon were a number of low rounds by the leaders, making for some very competitive final holes. The 2012 Men’s Amateur Champion Kyle Weldon posted two rounds of 67 for a 134 total and take the top spot.

He was followed by Mitchell Rutledge at 137 (71-66) for the final qualifying position. Derek Mason (139) and Corey Choate (142) were the alternates.

Kristian Caparros of Hollywood, Florida, with rounds of 73-70, took the top qualifying spot. Matt Lavery of Peoria, Illinois and Matt Echeimeier from Columbia, Missouri tied at 146 with Echelmeier taking the 2nd qualifying spot in a playoff.

Caparros is one of the Kristian Caparros top ranked players in the country and has committed to play college golf at the University of Florida.

US AMATEUR

US SENIOR OPEN Tour veteran Trevor Dodds outlasted Jeff Whitfield as both players finished with rounds of 70 at Quincy Carr Vernon Chance Holden Country Club. Trevor birdied the first hole to The West course at Norwood Hills CC, site of the earn his spot at Omaha 1948 PGA Championship, won by Ben Hogan over CC for the US Senior Mike Turnesa, was the site of the US Amateur Open. With Whitfield qualifying. earning the first Players from across the region arrived to earn their Trevor Dodds alternate spot, Jay ticket to the historic Country Cub in Brookline, Delsing and Steve Lotz Massachusetts, site of Francis Ouimet’s win at the 1913 would battle for the 2nd alternate. With both players US Open. hitting driver from the tee, Lotz – a frequent long-drive Chance Holden of Dexter, Missouri and Carr Vernon participant – drove the green and made a two-putt of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, each posted 141 totals to birdie for the second spot. qualify. Holden had rounds of 71-70, while Vernon went 69-72. Steven Souchek of Columbia, Illinois had the best round of the day with a 68, which he followed US JUNIOR AMATEUR with a 74, giving him a 142 total. Joininghim was Kirkwood golfer Tanner Bulejski who went 73-69 for Two players from outside the St. Louis area claimed his rounds. The four of them each earned their way to the two qualifying spots at WingHaven CC for the US compete at Brookline.

Junior Amateur.

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Alex Cusumano came in at 143 to take first alternate while Cy Moritz took second alternate out of a three way playoff.

two-over rounds, good enough to qualify. Ryan Eckelkamp and Dan Emrick earned alternate spots.

US SENIOR AMATEUR Whitmoor CC was the site of the US Senior Amateur Qualifying. Twenty players submitted their entries, each hoping to capture the lone qualifying spot. It was a stellar field with a number of former area champions among Jim Dunn those competing. This included: Tim Boyd, Robert Trittler, Bob Meeh, Mike Kootman, Dennis Osborne, Scott Edwards and Jim Dunne. Playing as a par 72, each of the top players seemed to have difficulty on the front nine as only Kootman managed to break par, posting a 1-under 35. However, after a lengthy delay, he would have difficulties closing as two bogeys and a triple bogey on the seventeenth ended his chances. Meanwhile, Scott Edwards was having an up and down round with four bogeys and three birdies to finish at 1-over. Like Edwards, Dunn’s play was also a bit erratic, though his four birdies against only three bogeys were enough to give him a 1-under round and the lone qualifying spot. Dunn also completed his round before the weather delay.

ST. LOUIS GOLF HISTORY ‘04 SENIOR OPEN: THE VICTORY THAT NEARLY WASN’T In 2004, Peter Jacobsen was having a terrific tournament during the Senior Open at Bellerive CC. At the end of play on Saturday, he was in the lead with a 135 total. However, with the Friday round having been rained out – and the Saturday round being round two – the championship would be decided with 36-holes on Sunday. Having undergone recent hip surgery (he was on crutches only six weeks before the tournament began) Jacobsen informed tournament officials that depending on how the morning round went, if his hip was not up to another round, he might be forced to withdraw! As we know, not only did his hip perform well, his game was also up to the challenge as he captured his first USGA title, much to the delight of the large crowd.

US MID-AMATEUR

Ted Moloney

Competing for the four qualifying spots for the US Mid-Amateur had a number of well known players arrive at Forest Hills for the 18hole qualifying round.

Playing at a par 70, Ted Moloney shot a 1-under 69 to take honors. Skip Berkmeyer followed with a 1-over 71 with Patrick Britt and Phil Caravia both posting 12

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US SENIOR WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPION

ELLEN PORT’S HONORS NATIONAL

Ellen Port

Ellen Port joined some elite company as she completed another run through the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at CordeValle in San Martin, CA. Port joins hall of famers Glenna Collett Vare and Hollis Stacy as 6-time USGA Champions and joins a list of only 9 other golfers in USGA history to have captured 6 USGA titles, this being her 2nd Senior Women’s added to her 4 previous US Mid-Amateur Championship titles.

Ellen becomes just the 4th player in history to win 2 different championships in back-to-back years, having done so in 1995 and 1996. Additionally, when Ellen serves as the Curtis Cup Captain here in St. Louis in June of 2014, she will be the first reigning USGA champion to do so since Carolyn Cudone in 1970.

2014 CLUB AND COURSE ANNIVERSARIES 15 YEARS

35 YEARS

WingHaven

Crescent Farms

20 YEARS

45 YEARS

Emerald Greens Fox Run Governors Run Meramec Lakes Missouri Bluffs Tapawingo Woodlands Woods Fort

Tower Tee Warrenton

25 YEARS

50 YEARS Arlington Sherwood GC at Florissant Forest Hills

60 YEARS Tamarack

Deer Creek Eagle Springs 13

1992 Women’s Western Amateur Medalist 1994 Women’s National Trans-Miss Champion 1994 US Curtis Cup Team 1995 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion 1995 US Curtis Cup Team 1996 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion 2000 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion 2000 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Medalist 2001 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Medalist 2002 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Medalist 2011 US Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion 2012 US Senior Women’s Champion 2013 US Senior Women’s Champion 2014 Captain US Curtis Cup Team

STATE 1992 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion 1995 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion 2000 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion 2001 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion 2002 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion 2003 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion 2010 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion 2012 Missouri Women’s Amateur Champion

LOCAL 1987 SLWGA Match Play Champion 1992 SLWDGA Stroke Play Champion 1993 SLWDGA Stroke Play Champion 1993 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 1994 SLWDGA Stroke Play Champion 1994 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 1995 SLWDGA Stroke Play Champion 1998 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 1998 SLWDGA Champion 2000 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 2001 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 2002 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 2002 SLWDGA Champion 2003 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 2004 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 2005 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 2006 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 2009 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion 2010 MAGA Women’s Amateur Champion

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2014 COMPETITION SCHEDULE MAGA COMPETITIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

DATE(S)

Match Play Championship

ENTRY DEADLINE

VENUE

May 3-4

Invitational

Normandie Amateur

May 17-18

May 10

Normandie Golf Club

East Side Amateur

June 14-15

June 7

Lockhaven Golf Club

Women's Amateur Championship

June 24-25

June 11

Forest Hills Country Club

Open Championship

July 10-12

June 25

Country Club of St. Albans

Junior Amateur Championship

July 21-22

July 9

Normandie Golf Club

July 31 -August 1

July 2

Westwood Country Club

August 14-15

July 30

September 28-29

September 10

Amateur Championship Senior Amateur Championship Four-Ball Championship

Old Warson Country Club

Greenbriar Hills Country Club Franklin County CC

USGA QUALIFYING ROUNDS ENTRY DEADLINE

CHAMPIONSHIP

DATE(S)

US Open (Local)

May 13

April 23

Missouri Bluffs Golf Club

US Women's Open (36 Holes)

May 20

April 30

Lake Forest Golf & CC

US Women's Amateur Publinks

May 28

May 14

Annbriar Golf Club

June 9-10

May 28

Aberdeen Golf Club

US Senior Open

June 16

May 28

Country Club at The Legends

US Junior Girls' Amateur

June 25

June 4

Bogey Hills Country Club

July 1

June 4

Old Hickory Country Club

July 14

June 25

Jefferson City Country Club

US Mid-Amateur

August 5

July 9

Annbriar Golf Club

US Women’s Mid-Amateur

August 5

July 9

Annbriar Golf Club

US Senior Women's Amateur

August 20

August 6

WingHaven Country Club

US Senior Amateur

August 21

August6

Glen Echo Country Club

US Amateur Four-Ball

Ocotber 6

August 6

Bellerive Country Club

September 23

August 6

St. Clair Country Club

US Amateur Public Links

US Junior Amateur (36 Holes) US Amateur

US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball

VENUE

Go to www.metga.org/2014-schedule-of-events/ to apply on-line or to download an application for an event.

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